the pair, but negotiations had stalled as the kidnappers were a
heavily armed medley of locals rather than any organized group.

Haunted by the 1993 debacle in Somalia from which the movie
Black Hawk Down is based, the U.S. was reluctant to
intervene, knowing that any mistakes would cause outrage in the
States and more embarrassment abroad.

Putting aside its concern, and prompted by reports that
Buchanan's health was declining, the Pentagon ordered a rescue
mission and sent two helicopters into the Somalian village last
night where the pair were being held, and rescued them both.

The SEALs had parachuted in about 60-minutes prior, securing
the area and locating the hostages, before the choppers were sent
to pick everyone up — including up to nine pirates and as
many as
five additional hostages.